prude
|prude|
C1
/pruːd/
excessive modesty
Etymology
Etymology Information
'prude' originates from French, specifically the word 'prudefemme,' where 'prude' meant 'virtuous' and 'femme' meant 'woman.'
Historical Evolution
'prudefemme' transformed into the English word 'prude' in the 18th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'virtuous woman,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person excessively concerned with propriety.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45